Tancoo Announces $250 Monthly Increase to Social Assistance Grants

Minister Vandana Mohit says all current Senior Citizens’ Pension recipients, including those in the highest income band of $4,500 to $5,500, will get the planned $250 increase from January 1, 2027. She rejected Opposition claims that the existing cap would block some pensioners, saying the increase will apply across all bands. Public Assistance Grant payments will also rise by $250.

Opposition Senator Amery Browne said the Government’s $250 pension grant increase in the Fiscal 2027 Budget does little to help seniors facing higher living and medication costs, while cuts elsewhere leave vulnerable people under pressure. Former finance minister Colm Imbert also argued the rise will not reach many pensioners because the $5,500 cap was not lifted, affecting those who receive both old age and NIB pensions.

Opposition Senator Dr Amery Browne and Independent Senator Dr Marlene Attzs questioned whether the $250 monthly increase in senior citizens’, public assistance and disability grants will help recipients, given the Ministry of the People received about $812 million less for social assistance overall. They said the rise may be offset by inflation and weak purchasing power, especially for essentials like medicine.

The 2027 Budget reduced recurrent spending allocations for several ministries, including a roughly $1 billion cut to grants in the Ministry of the People, Social Development and Family Services. Minister Vandana Mohit said the promised increases for senior citizens, public assistance and disability grants will still be paid from January 1, 2027, despite opposition criticism over the cuts.

Nearly 170,000 people in Trinidad and Tobago will see higher social assistance grants from January 1, 2027, after Finance Minister Davendranath Tancoo announced increases in the Senior Citizens’, Public Assistance and Disability grants in his budget presentation. The Senior Citizens’ Grant rises by $250 a month, the first increase in 12 years, affecting 124,000 seniors.

Finance Minister Davendranath Tancoo announced a $250 monthly increase in senior citizens’ pensions, public assistance grants and disability assistance grants, effective January 1, 2027. The rise will affect about 165,000 recipients in Trinidad and Tobago and is meant to put more money directly into the hands of low-income and vulnerable people.